Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and DiGeorge syndrome: a new locus for familial exudative vitreoretinopathy on chromosome 22q11.2?

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with DiGeorge syndrome in association with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).

DESIGN: Observational case report.

PARTICIPANTS: A newborn female and her parents.

METHODS: Family members were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Deletion mapping was performed by fluorescent in situ hybridization and genotyping. Mutation screening was undertaken by direct sequencing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence or absence of a microdeletion on chromosome 22q11.2 in the patient and her parents and mutation screening of FZD4 and LRP5 in the patient.

RESULTS: The patient had classical features of DiGeorge syndrome and FEVR. A de novo microdeletion on chromosome 22q11.2 was found in the patient, confirming the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome. No mutations were identified in the known FEVR genes.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DiGeorge syndrome should have a dilated retinal examination to look for signs of FEVR. Chromosome 22q11.2 may represent a novel locus for FEVR.